While Kaitlyn Bristowe still has two men to choose from in "The Bachelorette" season 11, reports claim that one of them has already been the runaway winner long before the season began last May. 

In the 10th episode of "The Bachelorette" season 11, Kaitlyn sent software salesman Ben Higgins back home to Indiana. This means that personal trainer Shawn Booth and returning bachelor Nick Viall are the last two suitors left to capture the Bachelorette's heart this season. But according to several sources, Nick and Kaitlyn already shared a special relationship before the cameras began filming this season. 

Sources told E! Online that the two became friends before Kaitlyn found out that she would be one of the girls from "The Bachelor" season 19 who was in the running to become this year's Bachelorette. 

According to one of the sources, Kaitlyn and Nick began talking after her stint in Chris Soules' season ended, and they bonded due to their mutual experiences in the ABC's reality show. They began as friends at first, but it somehow turned romantic even if they had not met in person before the show. They allegedly communicated through text, Facetime, and calls from late February up to early March this year. 

"They were explicit about their feelings," the source told E! "And while they didn't sext, intimate photos were exchanged. It was steamy." 

One of the couple's common friends also confirmed that they have already talked about Nick's participation in the show before Kaitlyn headed for filming. She even joked that she hoped that he could surprise her on the show. 

Nick's friend also said that he earlier hoped that the new batch of bachelors would choose Britt Nilsson as this season's Bachelorette instead of Kaitlyn so that they could resume their blossoming relationship. But when it was announced that Kaitlyn would remain in the show, Nick did everything to be in it and called the production people so he could still have a shot at her heart. 

Does this mean that Nick will beat Sean B. and earn the final rose this season? 

Meanwhile, the other Bachelorette's romance became short-lived after her relationship with contestant Brady Troops ended in less than six months. Britt Nillson and Brady met during the season 11 premiere, when he decided to leave the show and follow the heartbroken Bachelorette who was not chosen by the majority of the season's new suitors. 

While the two seemed to hit it off instantly based on their social media posts, multiple sources confirmed to E! News that the two decided to call it quits. 

ABC has no comment about the recent development in Britt and Brady's relationship.